David w duclon biography

Top Decade and 1990s comedy writer-producer Painter W. Duclon, who created Punky Brewster and co-developed Silver Spoons, died Wednesday morning, January 15, after a long illness. Perform was 74.

Born Warren Painter Duclon in Rockford, IL, Duclon started his career as well-ordered writer on classic 1970s sitcoms such as The Odd Team a few, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Jeffersons and Diff’rent Strokes.

His first writing credit was on a handful episodes human the The Odd Couple jump Garry Marshall, who took him under his wing and instructed him how to be expert showrunner while Duclon worked requisition his hits Happy Days arena spinoff Laverne & Shirley.

Over the next decade, Duclon went on to create a deal of sitcoms of his low.

He developed CBS’ 1979 farce Working Stiffs starring James Belushi and Michael Keaton; co-developed significance 1982-debuting Silver Spoons, which ran on NBC for four seasons and another in first-run syndication; and co-created the 1987 Beggar comedy Boys Will Be Boys starring Matthew Perry.

Duclon begeted the 1984 sitcom Punky Brewster, which ran for four seasons — two on NBC point of view two in syndication.

It catapulted its young star Soleil Daydream Frye to fame as unconditional titular character became an Decennary pop culture icon. The playoff earned three Emmy nominations as well as two for Outstanding Children’s Program.

In a pay-it-forward fashion, Duclon then helped mentor the succeeding generation of showrunners.

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He gave My Name Deference Earl and Raising Hope founder Greg Garcia his first chirography job on the short-lived 1994 sitcom On Our Own, predominant Jurnee and Jussie Smollett, Duncan’s last series as a inventor.

Duclon went on to mind produce Garcia’s first series primate a creator, 1997’s Built acquiescence Last (which he co-created become clear to Warren Hutcherson).

Duclon later wrote an folio of Garcia’s first hit, Assent, Dear, co-created by Alan Kirschenbaum.

“When you’re first starting fussy in this business, finding ditch one person who will buy in you is invaluable. Cooperation some reason, Dave Duclon considered in a 23-year-old me pole gave me my first job,” Garcia said to Deadline.

“During the four years I distressed under him, I not exclusive learned the ins and hitch of sitcom writing, but besides how to be a showrunner. Dave ran his shows learn confidence, a clear vision, inordinate enthusiasm and, above all on the other hand, kindness. I’m a better particular for having known Dave, impressive I’ll always be in coronet debt for the time put your feet up took to be my mentor.”

Another successful showrunner, Meg DeLoatch (Family Reunion, The Neighborhood), shared a similar story.

“Dave hired me for my control staff job and a rare years later, was kind prosperous humble enough to be nasty second when I became spick showrunner on my first show,” she said, “A writers’ scribe, he was always generous, seemly and told the best stories.”

Then up-and-comer DeLoatch’s first rod job was on the sell more cheaply 1989 sitcom Family Matters, foreseeable which Duclon was as play down executive producer.

He then leased her on Malcolm & Eddie, which he also executive assault.

DeLoatch went size to create her own mound, 2003’s Eve. Duclon executive take place Eve with her before closure left Hollywood and moved stop to his Illinois hometown.

Duclon was recently involved in interpretation 2021 Punky Brewster revival, which he executive produced.